Oxlade-Chamberlain insists Arsene Wenger is not to blame for his struggles at The Emirates

Author:
Barnaby Lane
April 6, 2018

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that former Gunner Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain refuses to blame Arsene Wenger for his struggles at The Emirates.

‘The Ox’ moved to Liverpool on transfer deadline day last summer, and has since enjoyed an upturn in form after a difficult last few seasons with Arsenal.

The England international starred for Jurgen Klopp’s side in mid-week as they thrashed league leaders Manchester City 3-0 in the Champions League to put one foot in the competitions semi-finals.

But while Chamberlain is certainly thriving under Klopp at Anfield, the German coach says the midfielder does not blame Wenger for the way he failed to live up to his potential at Arsenal.

“It is because of his quality and potential,” Klopp said when asked about his upturn in form.

“He never blamed Wenger for not improving enough but it is sometimes about changing the environment. Being in a different place can make things better.

“He was ready to work hard and there is a different style of football. That obviously helped him.

“He still has a lot of things to improve but he is an outstanding talent.”

Chamberlain hit a rocket strike during the Red’s 3-0 masterclass against City in mid-week, and the midfielder says he intends for their to be many more performances, and goals, like it in the near future.

“The manager has been pushing me all season and shouting at me for not taking the game by the scruff of the neck at times and providing those kinds of moments, being the one shooting and making the difference,” he said.

“Slowly it is starting to pay off and it helps me to create moments like that and that is what I have wanted to do from midfield.

“It definitely shows why I wanted to come here. But I wasn’t too happy [with my performance]. I could have been better on the ball so I was a bit disappointed with that. The goal – I need to produce more moments like that.

“There were a few runs I did in the first half where I broke the line and it was just the last man I didn’t manage to get past or didn’t get the shot off again. There is room to improve.”